]]>Deputy Dean of the Business School, Sally-Ann Burnett, visited Brazil last week to raise awareness of the Business School and University, whilst developing partnership opportunities predominantly in Sau Paulo and Rio.

Here she tells us about her trip and the fantastic work taking place across the globe:

This was my first trip to what is a developing market with massive potential for BPP and the Business School in particular. My aim was to support the local team (Timeni Andrade and Nathalia Varro) in their quest to develop the market in Brazil and to drive partnership developments with specific objectives whilst seeking to enhance recruitment to the Business School for May, September and beyond.

I met with 5 universities which we are keen to explore partnership agreements with BPP Business School. There is an appetite for our summer schools, term abroad opportunities, dual undergraduate degrees (top ups), dual Masters programmes and progression agreements in to our Masters programmes. There is also a need for our SoFELs programmes to develop students’ English.

I gave my guest lecture on Brexit at five universities to audiences totalling more than 200 students and faculty and I met some students from Brazil heading to BPP in May 2017.

I also met with five agents and delivered a training session to an audience of 65 agents, from 30 companies across Brazil, at a workshop in Rio. Finally, I met with a private training provider interested in working with us and ACCA.

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/education/dr-sally-ann-burnett-visits-brazil/feed/0Great Scott: Law goes high techhttp://blog.bpp.com/uncategorized/great-scott-law-goes-high-tech/
http://blog.bpp.com/uncategorized/great-scott-law-goes-high-tech/#respondWed, 22 Mar 2017 14:05:32 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=20634This year’s employability week at BPP University was themed around legal tech and offered Legal Practice Course (LPC) students expert knowledge and practical experience of the latest legal technology, with an insight into how technology can be pivotal in enhancing their legal careers. The week culminated in a ‘Legal Tech Hackathon’ in which 47 students more ›

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This year’s employability week at BPP University was themed around legal tech and offered Legal Practice Course (LPC) students expert knowledge and practical experience of the latest legal technology, with an insight into how technology can be pivotal in enhancing their legal careers.
The week culminated in a ‘Legal Tech Hackathon’ in which 47 students were divided roughly into teams of 5 and set to work collaboratively to create an innovative legal solution to a real-life legal problem.
The problem was supplied by the Pro Bono Centre at BPP: to apply technology to the creation of Scott Schedules in residential service charge cases for use by litigants in person. When the First Tier Tribunal (where BPP run a pro bono drop-in advice clinic) issues directions they usually include template Scott Schedule. Many litigants in person have difficulty translating the template plus there are the usual problems of filling in forms, such as leaving boxes blank or filling in boxes incorrectly. Can legal tech resolve some (or all) of these issues?
Over beer and pizza the teams had just 1 hour and 20 minutes to devise a solution and afterwards they had to make their pitch before their peers and the judges: James Wilkinson (Head of Content Automation, LexisNexis®), Alex Smith (Innovation Hub Manager at Reed Smith), Tony Martin (Supervising Solicitors Pro Bono at BPP) and Jimmy Vestbirk (Co-Founder of F-Lex and Founder of Legal Geek).
Choosing a winner was no mean feat, not least because of the high quality presentations. In the end two teams of runners up (Bob DA Builder and Legal Nuts) were commended. RPC + 1 the winning team of Matt Plampton, Max Rossiter, Daisy Fulton, Lucy Houghton, James Watson were chosen in part for their recognition that the landlord tenant relationship was one that needed to be preserved so pushing negotiation and settlement were key.

All three teams were home with goodies from sponsors LexisNexis® and, more importantly all students thought the experience very worthwhile.
The question remains whether we can, with the help of LexisNexis®, create a working tech solution. Watch this space!

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/uncategorized/great-scott-law-goes-high-tech/feed/0Tax teacher Nitin feeling humble following ‘Lecturer of the Year’ PQ Magazine award successhttp://blog.bpp.com/education/tax-teacher-nitin-feeling-humble-following-lecturer-of-the-year-pq-magazine-award-success/
http://blog.bpp.com/education/tax-teacher-nitin-feeling-humble-following-lecturer-of-the-year-pq-magazine-award-success/#respondMon, 27 Feb 2017 14:42:54 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=20505A tax and accountancy tutor at BPP Professional Education says winning a 2017 PQ Magazine Award is the “pinnacle” of his career. Nitin Rabheru, 43, was awarded ‘Lecturer of the Year’ for the private sector at February’s winners’ ceremony, held in London. Admitting to feeling shocked to even be nominated, Nitin was completely overwhelmed to more ›

]]>A tax and accountancy tutor at BPP Professional Education says winning a 2017 PQ Magazine Award is the “pinnacle” of his career.

Nitin Rabheru, 43, was awarded ‘Lecturer of the Year’ for the private sector at February’s winners’ ceremony, held in London.

Admitting to feeling shocked to even be nominated, Nitin was completely overwhelmed to find out he was the eventual winner in a highly-competitive shortlist of top private sector lecturers from across the UK.

“I was in an amazing category, so to win was just out of this world,” said humble Nitin, who teaches via BPP’s online classroom.

“As a tutor, the best reward is always seeing your students succeed and pass their exams. But it also feels fantastic to be appreciated and acknowledged for all the effort that goes on behind the scenes in helping students realise their dreams.”

“I’ve had some truly heart-warming responses to my award success from family and friends.”

Nitin, who lives in Guildford, is no stranger to winning awards either having received BPP’s ‘Tutor of the Year’ accolade in 2012.

Celebrating 16 years teaching at BPP, he added: “My workplace gives tutors like myself the opportunity to be my own person and share that passion for the subjects I teach. This award is as much for my amazing bosses as it is for me.

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/education/tax-teacher-nitin-feeling-humble-following-lecturer-of-the-year-pq-magazine-award-success/feed/0CMI Student Ambassadors 2017http://blog.bpp.com/education/cmi-student-ambassadors-2017/
http://blog.bpp.com/education/cmi-student-ambassadors-2017/#respondThu, 09 Feb 2017 16:21:25 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=20480BPP University Business School is delighted to be trailblazing with the appointment of CMI Student Ambassadors in London and the South East.

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/education/cmi-student-ambassadors-2017/feed/0The New Insolvency Rules – Are You Ready?http://blog.bpp.com/accountancy-tax/the-new-insolvency-rules-are-you-ready/
http://blog.bpp.com/accountancy-tax/the-new-insolvency-rules-are-you-ready/#respondThu, 26 Jan 2017 15:51:04 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=20446The new Insolvency rules come into force on 6 April 2017 and will see the biggest change in the insolvency regime since 1986. Here Insolvency expert Charanjit Uppal examines the industry impact and outlines the five biggest changes.

The Insolvency Rules 2016 (“the 2016 Rules”) were published and laid before parliament on 25 October 2016. The rules will come in to force on 6 April 2017. This will see the biggest change in the insolvency regime since 1986. Here I summarise what I think are the big 5 changes:

Decision making by creditors

Sections 122 and 123 of the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (“SBEE”), will amend the 1986 Act by inserting new sections 246ZE to 246ZG and 379ZA to 376ZC. Traditionally decisions were taken at creditor meetings and this has proven both costly and time consuming with attendance at such meetings being poor. These sections together with Part 15 of the 2016 Rules flesh out an entirely new decision making regime for creditors as well as contributories.

Deemed Consent. Section 246ZF and 379ZB of the 1986 Act provide that where an officeholder writes to the creditors with a proposal, and does not receive objections from 10% of creditors in value, the proposal is deemed to be approved.

Restrictions on use of physical meetings. Under the new regime we have a significant move away from the physical meetings concept. An Officeholder cannot summon a physical meeting of creditors unless requested by to do so by either 10% of the creditors in value, 10% of the total number of creditors or 10 individual creditors.

Alternative Creditors’ Decision Making Procedures. As an alternative to deemed consent, we also have the following options available for decision making:

correspondence;

electronic voting;

virtual meetings;

any other decision making procedure which enables all creditors who are entitled to participate in the making of the decision to participate equally.

In practice therefore there will no longer be a physical s98 meeting and final meetings in liquidation or bankruptcy.

Use of email communications

The 2016 rules will also allow creditors to opt out of receiving communications from officeholders. There is in addition a positive move to email communications. Previously this could only be invoked where the creditor had given written consent to the communication by email. From April 2017 onwards, a creditor who communicates using email is deemed to have consented to receive documents by email.

Use of websites

Officeholders will no longer need the permission of the insolvency court to use websites to communicate with creditors. Officeholders will be able to publish notices on websites that future notices will be published on a website. There are certain exceptions to this but this should streamline much of the case administration work.

Final progress reports

The requirement for a final progress report on conversion of an administration to liquidation under paragraph 83 (which was removed previously) is reintroduced.

Proofs – small debts

Where a debtor’s accounting records or statement of affairs records a small debt due to a creditor (that is a debt where the total sum owed to the creditor is less than £1000), an officeholder may, with a view to limiting the costs of inquiry into that debt, decide to treat that debt as proved for the purpose of payment of a dividend.

Here at BPP, we aim to deliver insolvency training which addresses the new insolvency rules. Our material is fully up to date and delivered by qualified trainers with substantial experience in insolvency. If you want to find out more or have any queries, contact insolvency@bpp.com.

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/accountancy-tax/the-new-insolvency-rules-are-you-ready/feed/0Mark and Kirsty facing the studentshttp://blog.bpp.com/business-management/mark-and-kirsty-facing-the-students/
http://blog.bpp.com/business-management/mark-and-kirsty-facing-the-students/#respondWed, 11 Jan 2017 12:44:57 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=20397Mark Spencer-Ellis and Kirtsy Leigh are helping students deal with their latest challenge Students studying on the Advertising Management module have a fascinating slant to their module assessment, which is that they have to adopt the role of an advertising agency and make a group pitch presentation to other members of the class and to more ›

]]>Mark Spencer-Ellis and Kirtsy Leigh are helping students deal with their latest challenge

Students studying on the Advertising Management module have a fascinating slant to their module assessment, which is that they have to adopt the role of an advertising agency and make a group pitch presentation to other members of the class and to their tutors.

Wave is an app with almost 4 million users worldwide which allows anyone to see in real-time the exact location of their contacts in a PRIVATE map for a limited period of time. Wave makes it easy and fun for friends and family to meet in real time and is changing the way people find each other, by offering a fast, simple and safe location service.

The client see’s countless situations where Wave is a useful tool – a group of friends meeting to grab a beer, a father and his daughter who are going out at night, a skiing trip, a music festival, a business meeting, a group of students traveling to an unknown city – basically anytime when two or more people need to meet.

Students adopt the role of competing Advertising Agencies who are submitting proposals for an advertising campaign in the UK to generate £20m turnover within the first 12 months of the launch of the product. The target audience is primarily consumers with potential uses including meeting friends, music festivals, travellers in a new city, family location or outdoor sports and they have a budget of £500k to play with.

Each semester students enjoy the combined expertise of two professionals who share their experiences and give the student’s advice on some of the intricacies of launching an advertising campaign – Mark Spencer-Ellis, is the Marketing Project Manager for BPP, and Kirsty Leigh is the Marketing Manager for BPP University Business School.

Both Mark and Kirsty discuss their professional backgrounds and answer questions from the students on a range of different topics as diverse as what makes a good Pitch presentation, how to structure a presentation and what have been some of the mistakes they’ve made when attending a pitch presentation!

Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the session and student comments reflected that. One of the students, Diana Franco: said that “Having quality speakers like Mark and Kirsty provides a tremendous real life insight into the challenges for both the agency AND the client and we all felt so much more confident after we had spent time with them” Another student, Laura Garcia Ceballos, felt that “we all consider ourselves very fortunate to have spent time with Mark and Kirsty and really appreciate the, sharing their experiences”

So a huge thank you to Mark Spencer-Ellis and Kirsty Leigh for their time, and for sharing their invaluable professional experience with our MSc International Marketing Students

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/business-management/mark-and-kirsty-facing-the-students/feed/05 steps to ensure your organisation’s internship programme is a successhttp://blog.bpp.com/education/5-steps-to-ensure-your-organisations-internship-programme-is-a-success/
http://blog.bpp.com/education/5-steps-to-ensure-your-organisations-internship-programme-is-a-success/#respondMon, 09 Jan 2017 13:28:55 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=20395Internships are a great way for students to gain experience in the working environment and explore and develop their careers, however they are also considered advantageous to employers.

]]>Internships are a great way for students to gain experience in the working environment and explore and develop their careers, however they are also considered advantageous to employers. Many organisations hire interns or set up internship programmes but may be thinking ‘what do I do with my intern when they arrive?’ Below are some useful tips for employers to consider to maximise the benefits and ensure the internship is a success for both parties.

Establish responsibilities and objectives: treat the internship opportunity the same as you would for a permanent opportunity. Prepare a job specification of internship duties to ensure both the intern and employer know what is expected from the role. Interns should be given tasks and responsibilities that they can ‘own’, which challenge them and are recognised by the organisation as valuable.

Induction: take the time to give your intern a thorough induction into your organisation and the role, as this will help set them up for the rest of their time with you. Making them aware of your organisations rules, regulations, space and facilities will make the transition simpler. Allowing them to meet with other staff members will also help the intern feel comfortable in the workplace.

Mentor: are you able to commit to mentoring and coaching your intern? Assigning interns to a mentor, supervisor or manager who can closely monitor their activities will help your organisation meet or evaluate the business objectives it hoped to achieve by hiring them initially and their importance to the organisation.

Review and Feedback: have regular catch-ups to follow their progress and provide useful feedback. This allows the interns to measure their success and learn where they are not meeting expectations. Providing regular feedback is invaluable in helping them understand their strengths and weaknesses, address any concerns and discuss areas for improvement and development.

Appreciation or remuneration: showing interns you value them is important, as it will result in more productivity and job satisfaction. Many employers can’t afford to pay a salary, so will find other alternatives to show appreciation; travel expenses, stipends or free lunches. Expressing appreciation in some way will enable them to stay satisfied, motivated and content in their role.

Interested in working with our university and offering an opportunity to a student, then contact us at BPP University, as we educate students from all over the world who would be seeking work experience opportunities in the UK. To find out more about this please contact our Professional Development Team at pdpteam@bpp.com or 03300 603377.

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/education/5-steps-to-ensure-your-organisations-internship-programme-is-a-success/feed/0The John Lewis advert is out… and that means the Christmas countdown is onhttp://blog.bpp.com/business-management/the-john-lewis-advert-is-out-and-that-means-the-christmas-countdown-is-on/
http://blog.bpp.com/business-management/the-john-lewis-advert-is-out-and-that-means-the-christmas-countdown-is-on/#respondFri, 11 Nov 2016 16:00:53 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=20250As Christmas fast approaches and with the launch of the new John Lewis Christmas ad, Felicia Tick, Head of Programmes for the MSc International Marketing discusses the positives, negatives and importance of advertising in the festive season. You know the festive season is near when the shops are decorated in sparkly gold, red and green, you more ›

]]>As Christmas fast approaches and with the launch of the new John Lewis Christmas ad, Felicia Tick, Head of Programmes for the MSc International Marketing discusses the positives, negatives and importance of advertising in the festive season.

You know the festive season is near when the shops are decorated in sparkly gold, red and green, you smell the eggnog and mince pies and …. when you see the John Lewis Christmas ad on TV. It is part of the traditions around Christmas and a highly anticipated event which generates plenty of comments from consumers and experts alike.

The Christmas period is a very important time of year for retailers. A friend of mine has a specialist cooking shop and she told me that the majority of her annual revenues are generated in this period. Therefore, stores open extra hours and bring the decorations out to get people in the festive, generous mood. Advertising helps to draw more people into the stores.

Consumers can be forgetful and need reminding that retailers are out there to serve their needs. Especially now, with fierce competition from online retailers such as Amazon, the traditional retailers use marketing communication to maintain brand awareness.

In addition, they hope that the positive and warm feelings towards Christmas will be transferred to their brands. By associating their brand name with the spirit of Christmas, they aim for consumers to like the retailers’ brands more.

Although these are compelling reasons for the John Lewis Christmas ad, there are some downsides too. All brands want to promote their products for Christmas, so cost of advertising is much higher in the run up to the 25th of December. Therefore, John Lewis will have to spend a lot more money on their Christmas campaign compared to running a campaign in the quieter months of January or February.

And then there are the competitors’ Christmas ads, all vying for consumers’ attention. Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and others want their share of the consumers’ wallet and it is difficult for any retailer to stand out at this time of year.

Christmas is full of traditions. With the world around us ever-changing, it is good to have some anchors. You know the festive season is upon you, when you see John Lewis’ Christmas ad on TV.

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/business-management/the-john-lewis-advert-is-out-and-that-means-the-christmas-countdown-is-on/feed/0In Profile with Saqib Hussain BPP University Business School tutorhttp://blog.bpp.com/in-profile-with/profile-saqib-hussain-bpp-university-business-school-tutor/
http://blog.bpp.com/in-profile-with/profile-saqib-hussain-bpp-university-business-school-tutor/#respondMon, 07 Mar 2016 16:53:15 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=19630Saqib Hussain answers questions on his time at BPP University How long have you been at BPP University? I am new to BPP University and I teach the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Finance. In the programme I teach F5 Performance Management and F9 Financial Management. What is your background and experience before coming to more ›

I am new to BPP University and I teach the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Finance. In the programme I teach F5 Performance Management and F9 Financial Management.

What is your background and experience before coming to BPP University?

I am a Chartered Accountant (ACA). I started my career in KPMG – one of the “Big Four” accountancy firms, working in the financial services department in Manchester. My role involved auditing banks, building societies as well as some public sector engagement such as audit work on universities and other assurance engagements such as solicitor accounts rules work on Co-op Legal Services and Alliance and Leicester. After KPMG I worked for a small practice, where my role including everything from Account preparation to the final audit. I have also worked in a Head of Finance and Planning role for a further education college performing various jobs including preparation of management accounts as well as leading on college wide projects.

How do you think this experience has assisted your teaching at BPP University?

I decided that I wanted to teach because I have a really strong passion to pass on knowledge and I want every person to do the best they can. Because of that I will go the extra mile in my teaching as I want the best for every student. I am hoping my industry knowledge comes through in my lessons, for example when I teach account preparation I can tell the students about my experience as I have done it myself.

If you could give one piece of advice to students what would it be?

My advice would be to work hard. It’s not easy but it is definitely possible with the right effort and commitment. When I was doing charted accountancy as well as working full time I was studying and during weekends/study blocks. I would also sometimes stay up all night to study. Be prepared to work hard.

Saqib currently teaches on our Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Finance programme, to find our more visit our website.

]]>http://blog.bpp.com/in-profile-with/profile-saqib-hussain-bpp-university-business-school-tutor/feed/0Top of the class graduate Gina in the market to help next generation of digital whizz-kidshttp://blog.bpp.com/business-management/19568/
http://blog.bpp.com/business-management/19568/#respondFri, 04 Mar 2016 09:35:53 +0000http://blog.bpp.com/?p=19568An award-winning graduate from BPP University Business School wants to help young entrepreneurs master digital marketing. Gina Rodriguez finished top of the class with a distinction in The International Institute of Marketing Professionals (IIMP®)-accredited MSc International Marketing degree programme. The Colombian was also presented with the ‘Outstanding Performance’ and ‘Highest Performing Professional’ awards at BPP more ›

]]>An award-winning graduate from BPP University Business School wants to help young entrepreneurs master digital marketing.

Gina Rodriguez finished top of the class with a distinction in The International Institute of Marketing Professionals (IIMP®)-accredited MSc International Marketing degree programme.

The Colombian was also presented with the ‘Outstanding Performance’ and ‘Highest Performing Professional’ awards at BPP University’s November graduation ceremony in 2015.

“It was a great honour to be recognised. I feel very proud to have achieved the highest marks not only in the course but among the Business School students,” said Gina, originally from Bogota.

Following the 34-year-old’s success, Gina has been honoured with the IIMP® Collegiate Scholarship to enter the Certified Marketing Management Professional (CMMP®) programme. This scholarship means the Colombian graduate can use her expertise to help the next generation of entrepreneurs who are keen to develop their marketing skills.

“The scholarship means I can continue to get business advice from BPP University Business School and that I will be able to keep working with my BPP University adviser, Charlene McKinney, to push forward my business plan to help young entrepreneurs develop their digital marketing skills.”

Former nanny Gina immigrated to England seven years ago to pursue her professional dream of marketing.

She has since completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration in 2013 and earned two awards in Strategic Direction and Strategic Management & Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute in 2015.

Gina admitted it was a daunting prospect to leave her friends and family in Colombia to fly thousands of miles to England where she didn’t know anyone or the language.

“I took some English lessons to help, but there were other differences that took me a while to get used to like the weather and food,” said Gina, who lives in Canada Water, London.

“In time, I got used to everything and grew to love London. I love its multicultural environment and it has given me so many opportunities.”

Nearly half of the 11,000 students at BPP University are international and Gina believes that if you have the right attitude, you can succeed in the UK.

“My advice would be to spend time with English-speaking peers so that you improve your language and social skills. I would take up the opportunity to liaise as much as possible with your personal tutor and student representative. My personal tutor at BPP University Business School was Felicia Tick and she helped me greatly. I’d also recommend international students attend as many networking events as possible. Connections are key, particularly in London, and the bigger your network, the more success you will get,” said Gina.

On her future, she added: “I’ve secured another sponsorship with BPP University, this time under the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme to develop my business idea so I’m very optimistic and believe that my drive and determination will take me far in my career.

“Other students can achieve what I have if they have the right passion and determination. I see my business going down the right path because I’ve been listening to the market and I’m excited for the future.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

BPP University Business School is one of four schools within BPP University. We pride ourselves on offering degrees with professional qualifications in accountancy, banking, finance, HR, management and marketing.

BPP University Business School has a well-earned reputation for delivering high quality professional courses combined with academic rigour. Our academic courses have been successfully delivered to a number of students and clients over the years including Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, KPMG and Simmons and Simmons. Our Management courses also attract students from over 50 countries.

BPP University (www.bppuniversity.ac.uk) is the largest professional education provider in Europe. We are an independent university dedicated to business and the professions. Our programmes are designed in partnership with employers and respected professionals in the fields of law, business, finance and health.

BPP University is an independent university with over 11,000 students at a number of city centre study centres across the UK such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. We welcome more than 4,500 international students from across the globe.

BPP University is a UK degree awarding body providing its own awards through four schools: BPP University Law School, BPP University Business School, BPP University School of Health and BPP University School of Foundation and English Language Studies. BPP University also offers some programmes of study leading to the awards of other bodies. BPP University has centres throughout the UK. It was awarded the Education Investor award for Post-16 Education Provider of the Year in 2010 and the Education Investor’s award for Higher or Professional Education Provider of the Year in 2013.